Guitar Life

TELL YOUR STORY

Everyone who plays the guitar had a very first day, even the pros. When did you get started? How does playing guitar fit into your life now? Tell your story here!

18 Comments

18 responses so far ↓

  • lisamcc // May 24, 2009 at 12:42 pm | Reply

    I started playing when I was 10 years old.

  • california girl // July 2, 2009 at 7:32 pm | Reply

    Hello to all. I started playing when I was about 10 years old. I played for years off and on until I suffered a major trauma to my right hand. I am a lefty and played left-handed. The injury was a the end of my playing until now. I recently was encouraged by my partner to try to learn to play again. Playing left-handed was definitely out because I couldn’t fret the notes or chords, therefore, I am now trying to learn all over again. This time I am learning to play right-handed. This is not so easy to do. I went from being a fairly accomplished player back to the ranks of total beginner. I had totally forgotten how hard it was to learn to play the first time. This is very frustrating, but I will persevere.

  • Reeder Lyons // August 9, 2009 at 9:48 pm | Reply

    I’ve only purchased this domain so it is not live – YET – my intention is to do affiliate marketing for Guitar Tricks in the very near future.

    my story; in 1962 I purchased my very first guitar from a store selling used equipment, or maybe it was a pawn shop – don’t really remember – tooooo much muddy water beneath my bridge – :-) Anyway, the neck was warped but I had no clue that was the case and began learning to use chords to accompany my singing. Seems to me my calluses were about 1.5″ thick by the time I finally learned a little about what I was doing. Never took any lessons just used the music book I’d purchased. Since then have owned several guitars, one was hand made in Mexico it was an acoustical – a lot of fun. One was a 12 string Yamaha, in its day was a really nice instrument – paid about $150.00 in 1969?? Again too much muddy water!!

    Have decided to come back and join Guitar Tricks sometime in the very near future and begin learning again but this time want to learn how to play, my singing voice is no more, too much harsh environment and other mistreatments. I aspire to learn how to “pick” the guitar and what ever other techniques are available with the course at Guitar Tricks.

    Who knows you, Miss Lisa McCormick may even be my instructor.

    Really enjoyed reading through your blog and especially appreciated your video welcome.

    your new “old carpenter” friend

  • Jimmy Perez // October 27, 2009 at 3:38 pm | Reply

    Hi Lisa,Thanks for writing me and i guess i finally get to meet you. I always loved the acoustic guitar because i’ve learned that people who plays,expresses their feelings through this amazing instrument. I use to put off learning to play and always thought i didn’t have the time, or was it ’cause i was afraid to give it a try? well time has pass me by and finally i bought my first guitar and some videos lessons from Herbert online because i some him playing Romanza and i remember how i admire that song,so i learn the first part of the song but the only trouble i had was the barre chords,anyhow,i decided to join guitar tricks and i aways go to your class and started fingerpicking and still there. Learning the chord progression but still have trouble placing my fingers on time while strumming or fingerpicking. My pleasure to meet you and by the way i downloaded your beautiful song ‘lay me down’ Congrats!

  • Dave // November 2, 2009 at 5:30 pm | Reply

    Hi Lisa, I always loved the sound of an acoustic guitar, and it is by far my favorite instrument. I didn’t pick it up until 5 years ago, after a running accident that ended my running career, and struggled aimlessly on and off with it. I came across Guitar Tricks, and specificaaly you. Your instruction and material clicked with me in an awesome way, and I found direction and purpose. Thank you so much for what you do, Lisa. I’m very gateful for your teaching and heart for adults in particular.

  • Marty // December 2, 2009 at 9:49 pm | Reply

    Hi Lisa, Both of my parents were in a country band when I was young. Mom was a singer and Dad a drummer so I have been around music my whole life. As a young man I could play just a couple of songs, “House of the rising Sun” and a couple of country tunes. Never put in the time needed to learn more. One day a friend who is a very good player played a awesome riff and I looked at him and said ” Damn, I wish I could play like that”. He reached into his guitar case, gave me a pack of strings and said, “you can, go practice”. I had a old cheap flat top and I went home and practiced. A few months later my beautiful lady friend bought me a Yamaha F335 for Christmas. As a arthritis sufferer, this made playing alot easier. I subscribed to a couple of guitar magazines and found that Acoustic Guitar had songs with the chord diagrams. I can’t read music so If I don’t know the melody I’m stuck. In the past 3 years I have increased my song list to around 30 songs, mostly blues stuff as that is the type of music I enjoy. Some Stevie Ray etc…I came across your website and was excited to find your 3 Christmas songs in 3 minutes video. I now have some Christmas songs to play at our next get together. I look forward to learning many more with your help. ThankYou, Marty Conquest , Hudson, Ma P.S. As a male I feel compelled to add that your quite easy on the eyes also…..LOL

  • Ernie // December 13, 2009 at 9:49 pm | Reply

    Found an old dusty acoustic guitar in the closet one day. It had a picture of a cowboy on the front and only four strings. I managed to tune it and learned to play Ghost Riders in the Sky. My father was so impressed, he bought me a used electric for my birthday and it was downhill all the way!

  • Ernie // December 14, 2009 at 5:32 pm | Reply

    Not sure what happened to it. It was probably just a cheap “catalog” guitar but I wish I had kept it as a souvenir.

  • Coke2 Lindsey // December 15, 2009 at 6:43 pm | Reply

    My bio as far as music is concerned started when I moved to Birmingham

  • Nicolas P. Blas // January 24, 2010 at 6:43 pm | Reply

    Hi Lisa!
    My name is nick, and I’m working as a safety officer for CUC for my living, and since I’m a busy man working, I like to spend times at home playing guitar, and singing music to people who like to listen to music, and most of all to our heavenly father.

    I wanted to know your finger picking style of playing guitar, can you help me get started!

    Respectfully,

    Nick P. Blas
    P.O. Box 8162, SVRB
    Saipan M.P.
    96950

    • Lisa McCormick // January 24, 2010 at 7:53 pm | Reply

      Hi Nick,

      Nice to hear from you on the other side of the globe! I will point you towards a video guitar lesson on beginning fingerpicking to help you get started. You can get tons of mileage from the easy pattern I teach in this video. I use this pattern all the time and teach it to all my fingerpicking students.

      The video is right on the front page of my Getting Started With Guitar site.

      Give it a try and let me know what you think. Best wishes, Lisa

  • Jim Scanlan // March 4, 2010 at 2:23 am | Reply

    Hi Lisa…it was nice to hear from you via email.
    About me:
    I retired retired 6 years ago after 47 year career in Radio/Tv broadcasting…I’ve been everything from a Disc Jockey to a weather man, even did a morning tv show as a clown for a while…most of my friends still think I’m a clown. I’m really not a beginner on guitar..having taught myself to play from a Mel Bay book when I was 12 years old..I think is was called “Fun With the Guitar”…it was, and still is after all these years. I stumbled on to your site some time ago as I was visiting the Acoustic Guitar Community, checked it out and discovered it to be one of the best instructional web sites I had ever seen. Even this ole’ dog has learned a few new tricks from you. I began my radio career at age 14, so between that and the guitar, music has been a major part of my life. along the way I picked up mandolin and banjo…and I continue to sing, write, and perform where ever I can. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished here..teaching someone else to play is a great feeling…giving the gift of music is a wonderful way to leave a legacy. Have a Blessed day.
    Jim

    • Lisa McCormick // March 4, 2010 at 7:35 pm | Reply

      Hi Jim,
      Ah, good ol’ Mel Bay. I think I’ve had a Mel Bay book or two too.
      I’m delighted out paths have crossed. What style of banjo music do you play? I play clawhammer style.

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